Democratic Outcome of HB537

Democratic Primary Effect: HB537 changed the primary election date for the state of Florida to one that would be 'unacceptable' to both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee Delegate Selection Rules. Rule 20.C.1(a) & Rule 11.A  of the DNC delegate selection rules stipulate, in essence, that states that have not been granted a special waiver must schedule presidential nominating contests after Feb. 5.  Rule 20.C.1(a) also clearly states that the "number of pledged delegates elected in each category allocated to the state pursuant to the Call for the National Convention shall be reduced by fifty (50%) percent, and the number of alternates shall also be reduced by fifty (50%) percent".

Florida Dems Defend: Florida Democratic party leaders, considered options including caucuses, a state convention, and a $7 to 8 million 'vote by mail' primary. On June 10, 2007 the State Executive Committee voted unanimously to use the state-run January 29 primary, knowing that they were at risk of a penalty. On August 4 the State Executive Committee formally adopted its Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan, setting the date of Florida's Democratic Presidential Preference Primary for January 29, 2008.  During this deliberation period, the DNC did offer to put up $866,000 to help fund a caucus with 120,000 ballots and 150 voting sites. 

The matter heated up at the August 25 meeting of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, where Florida party representatives declared that they had done what they could to move the date within the window, but were at the mercy of the Republican-controlled legislature. Further, they argued that holding a caucus with just 150 voting sites compared to 6,700 locations for the state-run primary would hurt efforts to build the party in this key state and could affect the outcome of a property-tax referendum to be held during the primary election on January 29. 

DNC Decision: The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee held firm, found the FDP plan in noncompliance, and voted to penalize Florida Democrats 100 percent of their national convention delegates. To avoid this sanction, they had to come up with a plan, within 30 days, that would comply with the primary election timing requirement.  "We're going to follow the rules," said DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee member Donna Brazile.

The DNC also banned candidates from entering the state of Florida to campaign prior to the January 29 Florida primary. As a result of this ban, they were also kept from taking part in a televised debate planned for the Sunday before the primaries. All candidates honored the DNC wishes.

Florida Dems Decision: On September 23, 2007 Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman announced the party would participate in the January 29 primary.   A FAQ on the FDP website notes, "Although the DNC has said it will not recognize delegates from Florida, the Party plans to appeal to the eventual Democratic nominee for President to be seated at the Convention.